EXCLUSIVE! Coolie (Hindi) box office prediction: Rajinikanth starrer will grow based on word-of-mouth, predicts trade expert: 'If you compare it with Pushpa 2, KGF2 or Baahubali 2...

The massy megastar Rajinikanth is set to make his grand entry with swag and charm in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s directorial Coolie, which also features Nagarjuna, Upendra, Sathyaraj, Soubin Shahir and Shruti Haasan with a cameo from Aamir Khan.

The film has received a thunderous response in its advance bookings, and while it is expected to open with humongous numbers globally, it is also expected to take a decent start in its Hindi version in the northern parts of the country, as per trade expert Ramesh Bala.

Sharing his prediction about Coolie’s India and global box office, Bala told Firstpost, “I’m expecting India to be 100 crore plus gross. And, globally, it will be 150 crore plus.”

Talking about his prediction of the Hindi version business, he said, “I’m thinking, in Hindi, it will grow based on word-of-mouth. It will not have a 50 crore net opening, like KGF 2 or Pushpa 2. It may have an opening on the lower side because it is not a franchise movie. Like, it is very popular, but it is also clashing with War 2. So, Coolie, the opening will be good for a Kollywood movie. But, certainly, if you compare it with Pushpa 2 or KGF2 or Baahubali 2, it may not be on the same range on day one.”

“It may grow. If the word of order is good, I think, eventually, if screens and shows are increased, by the weekend, it may do even more numbers. But I’m hoping the opening will be in the medium range, but which may be good for a Tamil movie. The Tamil movie has not opened that huge in Hindi in recent times.”

When asked whether Aamir Khan’s cameo will help Coolie in the Hindi markets, Bala replied, “Certainly. I think that was the idea, I think. Because Aamir Khan was saying that was the idea, they had earlier wanted to cast even Kamal Haasan in Aamir Khan’s role, but it eventually went to Aamir Khan because they made sure that Nagarjuna from Tollywood, Upendra from Karnataka, Soubin from Kerala, so Aamir Khan from Hindi, like, they have one star each from each major industry. So, I think there is a plan originally. That’s why they cast Aamir Khan in this important role.”

“And, certainly, Aamir Khan’s presence in the posters Rajinikanth and Aamir Khan posters, are being used for the Hindi promotion. Certainly, that will help in the Hindi heartland. You know, Aamir Khan is a big Bollywood star. And, hopefully, his presence in the movie justifies his stardom and the fans are happy with the screen time and stuff because it is it is either a cameo or an extended cameo. So, certainly going in the market, certainly, Aamir Khan helps, truly,” he added.